Cover Story: Brit's Private Mommy Moments

It’s hard to believe that just five months ago, Britney Spears shocked the world by holing up inside her home with her youngest son Jayden James while the authorities attempted to return the one-year-old child to the custody of his father, Kevin Federline.

But on May 26, it was not only a completely different scene but a different Britney who snuggled and played with her sons Sean Preston,2, and Jayden,21 months, as the little family rang in the Memorial Day holiday at her Studio City, Calif., home.

"Sean Preston wouldn’t let go of Britney," an eyewitness tells OK!. "He didn’t want to leave her side. Every time she tried to put him down, he would clinch himself closer to her." At one point, the toddler hit his hand, and ran to his mother for comfort. "Sean started crying, and then he was resting his head on Britney’s shoulder."

Friends say Britney has finally accepted the help she needs to get better, taking her court-mandated parenting classes seriously and even reading self-help books — most recently Jack Canfield’sKey to Living the Law of Attraction: A Simple Guide to Creating the Life of Your Dreams.

Pals of the singer say it’s this commitment to recovery that is finally allowing Britney to become the mother she always meant to be.

"Her biggest regret is losing her boys, and now’s the time to put that right," a source tells OK!. Her efforts seem to be working. On May 6, she was finally awarded more time during her visitation–a boost from 9 hours a week to 27.

Brit seems to have straightened her love life out as well. Gone are the bad-boys she used to romance. In their place — Jason Trawick, Brit’s agent at William Morris and an all-around regular guy — thoughtful, intelligent and completely uninterested in sharing the spotlight.

And the best part — Britney’s dad and conservator, Jamie Spears, loves the match!

"There’s no doubt that Jamie, approves of Jason — and why wouldn’t he?" the agent’s friend tells OK!. "Jason would never take advantage of Britney. I’m glad that she’s finally found a good guy who isn’t interested in her fame or her fortune."

For the entire story on Brit’s new relationship with Jason, pick up the new issue of OK! — on sale everywhere Thursday!